Chandrakot Trek - 08 Days

“Chandrakot Trek” is akin to a diamond of the first water for the short vacationers who aspire for a quick indulgence in the grandeur of Annapurna expanse, at an extremely low elevation. The trek is just a prelude to the kind of walk involved in this well-trodden region of Nepal. The pomp and show of Pokhara - the most favored tourist hotspot, coupled with its serene lakes, artistic temples & a promising conglomeration of sophisticated resorts, the majestic snow clad peaks, enticing villages, verdant stretches of fields, the fascinating well-beaten trails; that’s what the “Chandrakot Trek” is all about!

The trip commences with a scenic flight to Pokhara after an interesting and informative guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. You will then be driven to the lovely little town of Lumle, from where the trek actually begins. A meager hour’s walk from Lumle brings us to the “Gurung & “Magar” dominated village of Chandrakot, boisterously poised high on a ridge, overlooking the Modi River Valley. Chandrakot also happens to be one of main entrances of most of the treks in the Annapurna region, which attributes to its popularity. In the days ahead, relishing the superb mountain vistas of Fishtail, Gangapurna, and the Annapurna Massif, we continue our footy mission towards Pothana and then to the absolutely picturesque village of Dhampus. We wrap up the trek at Khare and then drive back to Pokhara, where we stay an extra day for sightseeing and experiencing a funky life in this lively city. Eventually, like all good things come to an end, this energetic trip winds up with a flight back to Kathmandu.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m/25min)/Drive from Pokhara to Lumle (1610m/2hrs) & Trek from Lumle to Chandrakot (1580m/1.5 hours)

Day 04: Trek from Chandrakot to Pothana (1890m/5hours)

Day 05: Trek from Pothana to Kande (1770m/1hour) and drive from Kande to Pokhara (820m/1 hour)

Day 06: Sightseeing in Pokhara (820m)

Day 07: Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Day 08: Final departure

Important Snippets

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Once you land at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu and accomplish your entry/visa formalities, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to the hotel. Welcome drinks will be served at the hotel after which we will have a quick pre-trip meeting and discuss the itineraries. You can then take your time to relax, unpack and spend the time as you wish. In the evening, stroll around the nearby places and get the feel of this energetic city. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley, where your guide will escort you on a tour to the most prominent religious sites, mainly comprising of the shrines reflecting ancient local traditions of the two main religions, viz. "Buddhism" and "Hinduism". You will be visiting the sites like - Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu Shrine), Swayambhunath ( The monkey temple) and Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. All enlisted UNESCO world’s heritage list. After this entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m/25min)/Drive from Pokhara to Lumle (1610m/2hrs) & Trek from Lumle to Chandrakot (1580m/1.5 hours)

After that succulent breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport and board a flight to Pokhara. Relishing the mindboggling panorama of the Himalayas and verdant stretches of fields underneath from the aircraft, we land at Pokhara in about 25 minutes. . We understand that you have an utmost temptation to explore this rocking tourist hotspot right-away, but unfortunately, we have something else on the cards today. You needn’t worry because we have allotted an extra day at Pokhara on return. For now, a private car is waiting for us, so we head on for a comfy ride to Lumle. A half an hour’s drive from Pokhara brings us to “Naudanda”, an exclusive vantage point which offers splendid mountainous vistas of Fishtail, Gangapurna, Mardi, Himchuli, South Annapurna, Annapurna III, Dhaulagiri Massif etc. Enjoying these trademark panoramas of the Annapurna region, we reach Lumle in about 2 hours. Lumle is a lovely little town in the Kaski district. We can stop here at one of the lodges and sip a refreshing cup of Masala (spicy) tea enjoying the view of the mountains at a whooping close distance.
The comfy drive is now over and we gear up ourselves for a short trek to Chandrakot, boisterously poised high on a ridge, overlooking the Modi River Valley. Chandrakot is popular in the sense that it happens to be one of main entrances of most of the treks in the Annapurna region. This village is dominated by the people of Magar and Gurung community. You can witness their cultural show in the evening. Overnight at teahouse in Chandrakot; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 04: Trek from Chandrakot to Pothana (1890m/5hours)

From Chandrakot, we head on for a steep climb until we arrive at the “Gurung Village”. This is going to be our lunch spot. We savor the food in one of the teahouses here and then resume our trek; this time on a comparatively flatter route. The trek becomes more soothing and interesting as we pass by small jungles on the way. By and by, we finally make it to Pothana, where we are rewarded with a flurry of mountain vistas including the very artistic “Mt. Fishtail”. Overnight at teahouse in Pothana; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 05: Trek from Pothana to Khare (1770m/1hour) and drive from Khare to Pokhara (820m/1 hour)

From Pothana, we meticulously walk down a steep wooded Dhampus ridge and saunter through the jungle until we arrive at the picturesque village of Dhampus. The village is known for its sunrise/sunset views and also the splendid mountainous panorama which includes; Fishtail, Gangapurna Himal, Lamjung Himal, Himchuli and South Annapurna. From here, our journey to Khare is akin to a walk in the park. Sauntering through the interesting settlements, we arrive at Khare in about an hour and then hop in to our private car for a drive to Pokhara, which again takes about another hour. We check in to our hotel and relax. We’ve set aside the next day for sightseeing in Pokhara, so you can spend the remaining time today as you please. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara; breakfast included.

Day 06: Sightseeing in Pokhara (820m)

Today is the day to know this famed tourist hotspot like you know yourself. We proceed for a guided sightseeing tour around the valley, which covers the lakeside area, Fewa Lake, the Island Temple in the middle of the lake, Davis Fall, Barahi Temple, Gupteswore Cave etc. As you glare at the crystal clear waters of Fewa Lake, you will notice the shadow of the mountain appearing exactly like a fish’s tail; that’s the reason why the nomenclature “Machhapuchare” or Fishtail has been assigned to the mountain. After this entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. In the evening you can stroll around witnessing the funky nightlife in this lively city and also sample the foods in one of the catchy restaurants nearby. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara; breakfast included.

Day 07: Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu

We take an early morning flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. After 25 minutes on air, we touch down at the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport. A representative from Marron Treks will receive and transfer you to your designated hotel. You have the entire day at hand and can spend it as you please. You would probably want to get groomed a bit and do some souvenir shopping at Thamel. The fun is not yet over; we’ve saved the best for the last. In the evening, Marron Treks will host a farewell dinner program- full-fledged Nepali style! Enjoy the succulent traditional Nepali cuisines and a cultural extravaganza! Cut loose but sleep tight. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.

Day 08: Final departure

A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the Tribhuwan International Airport, three hours prior to your flight schedule. As you wave us good bye and enter the terminal block, you would perhaps recall your arrival at this place. No wonder why everything seems so familiar now because, you had come here as tourist, but you are going back as a friend! Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your travel companion in Nepal again!

Important Snippets

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Along the trekking route, there are many Tea House/ Lodges to stay. They provide good services. We will ensure you get the best of the services available so that you enjoy every bit of your trek.

Meals

We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as the staff members. Basically, we opt for locally available food in the Annapurna Region so that you could a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.

Porter and Staff Care

We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going to high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipments. They are the backbones of a trek.

Best Months

January - May & September - December is considered as the best months for Chandrakot Trek.

Any Experience Required ?

No former experience required. Physical fitness is the only key to accomplish this trek.

Difficulties

Any age group, who is physically fit, can opt of it.

Our Guides:

Guides play a very active role during the trek. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful treking guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as productive. Our guides are literate, multilingual speakers, environment conscious and well acquainted to culture, language, location and every single detail pertaining to the Annapurna Region . This would help our trekkers make the most of their trip.

Travel Insurance:

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip safe and hassle free.

Entrance and monumental fees during the sightseeing in Kathmandu & Pokhara as prescribed in the itinerary.

Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara on “BB” basis as per itinerary.

All ground transportation costs in accordance to the itinerary.

All trekking accommodation costs on full board (B, L, D) basis as per the itinerary. Four seasonal sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) duffel bag, t-shirt and Cap (provided as complimentary gears).

Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days costs US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days costs US $40 and $ 100 respectively. You will need a valid passport and 2 copies of your recent PP sized photos).

Tips to the guide, porter, driver, hotel and tea-house staff (Tipping is expected).

Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies.

Garbage deposit fees (refundable).

Any other expenses not mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section above.

TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENTS

Needless to say that kitting and stuffing yourself out for a trek is almost a herculean task which keeps you mulling and often gets you overwhelmed. But at the mercy of the renting outlets sprouting in every visible corner in Kathmandu, preparing for trekking in Nepal these days is almost tantamount to equipping yourself for a weekend backpacking trip. Most of the heavy and expensive items are easily available on rent, so you don’t actually have to travel Nepal with a cartload of gears. We have endeavored to formulate a categorical checklist that gives you a tentative idea regarding the gears and accessories mandatory for you during the trek. The list could vary depending upon the kind of trek you pursue, the terrain, weather conditions and time of the year. For instance, you don’t need the camp-trek equipments when you are on a tea-house trek. This listing below simply serves as a guideline and you can always have your own checklist. It is always preferable to pack light and the key to this is to carry the gears and accessories that have multidimensional uses.

CLOTHING (Core & Lower body)

Water-proof (breathable fabric) jacket, Poncho or Umbrella

Hard shell pants (breathable fabric- 1 set), preferably that zips from top and bottom which can be worn over boots without getting undressed, in case of abrupt weather changes

Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it )

Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)

Day sack/Nylon stuff sack

Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but should be returned after the trip)

Water bottle

Good head torch along with spare batteries and bulbs

Maps, compass and a guide book

Trekking poles

Miscellaneous Bits

The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just find

yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!

Toiletries

Quick-drying camp towel

Detergent powder/bar

Toilet paper

Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm

Pocket knife

Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)

Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter

Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms

Stuff sacks

Earplugs

Candlesticks

Medicaments

It is important that you can include the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Below is just the generic list of medications. We advice you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines

Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)

Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets

Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)

Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)

Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)

Assorted band-aids

Small gauge pad

Roll of adhesive tape

Iodine tablets

Optional Carry

Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trek

Camera, memory card and battery charger

GPS unit Altimeters

Binoculars

Pee bottle for men (leak proof/wide mouth) & Pee funnel for women

Books and magazines

Departure Date

Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.

Trip Facts

Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request)

Group Size: 01 – 12 Pax

Trip Grade: Easy

Accommodation: Hotel/Tea House

Transportation: Private Car/Flight

Highest Elevation: Pothana (1890m)

Lowest Elevation: Pokhara (820m)

Average Walking Hours per Day: 3 Hours

Trek Commences From: Lumle (1610m)

Trek Terminates At: Khare (1770m)

Best Months: Jan-May & Sep-Dec

Trip Highlights

Cruise around Kathmandu valley with an experienced city guide and explore the most famed historical and cultural landmarks herein